The Dreamer, The Believer

Born Lonnie Rashid Lynn in Chicago on March 13, 1972, Common
rose to prominence as one of hip-hop's most poetic and respected lyricists,
having garnered multiple Grammy Awards for his first eight albums. Common's
ninth, The Dreamer, The Believer, will be released in December by Warner
Brothers Records.

In 2004, he partnered with fellow Chicago native and rap music mega-star Kanye
West to produce the album BE, which went on to garner four Grammy Award
nominations. Three years later, Common released his critically-acclaimed seventh
album, Finding Forever, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Album Chart and
went on to earn him another Grammy. His eighth album, Universal Mind Control,
was released in 2008 and was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Rap
Album.

Common's film credits include "Smokin' Aces," "American Gangster," "Wanted,"
"Terminator Salvation," "Date Night" and "Just Wright." In addition, he is set
to co-star next year opposite Jennifer Garner in "The Odd Life of Timothy
Green."

On TV, Common enjoys a recurring role on the AMC Network series "Hell on
Wheels." He plays Elam, a freed slave who heads West in search of work on the
Transcontinental Railroad in post-Civil War America.

His memoir, One Day It'll All Make Sense, was published in September by Atria
Books. He is also the author of several children's books, including The MIRROR
and M, its follow-up, I Like You But I Love Me, which was nominated for an NAACP
Image Award, and M.E. (Mixed Emotions).

In 2000, Common launched the Common Ground Foundation, with the mission to
empower disadvantaged youth in urban communities by mentoring them. Here, he
talks about serving as the voice of Seymour in the animated comedy Happy Feet
Two.

Common -
The "Happy Feet Two" Interview
with Kam Williams

Kam Williams: Hey Common, how you been, bro?

Common: Great! Great! How you been, Kam?

KW: Very well, thanks. Let me get right to questions sent in by fans. Judyth
Piazza asks: What interested you in playing Seymour?

C: The reason why I really wanted to play Seymour was because Happy Feet Two is
a family movie that can touch people of all ages. So, I saw the opportunity to
be in the movie and to work with [director] George Miller, who is an incredibly
talented visionary, as a great honor and blessing.
KW: Larry Greenberg asks: What is the acting process like when you're voicing an
animated character? Do you picture the character saying the words?

C: First of all, you start by finding the pulse of the character, because even
though it's animated, it still has a soul. George Miller creates characters who
have heart, so you start by finding their essence. Then you bring that essence
to the character, and add your imagination.
KW: Teresa Emerson asks says: You're really branching out between Seymour in
Happy Feet 2 and Elam Ferguson in Hell on Wheels on AMC. What surprising role
will you be tackling next?

C: God willing, I'll be doing leading roles in some dramas, comedies and action
films. My goal is to develop into a great actor.
KW: Aleesha Houston asks: Have you ever eaten at Harold's Chicken in Chicago?

C: Of course, Aleesha! I grew up eating at Harold's my whole life, specifically,
the one that used be at 88th and Stony Island Avenue.
KW: Aleesha would also like to know, what is your fondest memory of growing up
in Chicago?

C: Just enjoying time with my friends, from hanging out with the kids I grew up
with, to playing basketball, to riding up and down Lake Shore Drive. Having fun!
KW: Denise Clay asks: When did you know that you had a future as a lyricist and
poet?

C: I felt I had a future when I did I Used to Love H.E.R. When that was
released, I was like, "Man, I really can do something." I really felt strong
about it.
KW: Jimmy Bayan says: Common, through your lyrics and your comments, you've
seemed to attract a bit of controversy over the years. Being a rapper, in the
past some of your lyrics have been flagged controversial. Being a father and a
Christian, one could say you're a bit of a mixed bag. I'm trying to get to the
essence of who Common is. Tell me how your journey has morphed you into the man
you are today.

C: I put God first, and strive to do my best by being a loving human being,
recognizing that sometimes I make mistakes and bad choices. But God is my guide
and love is the strongest element in the mix, so I try to not judge myself too
much, knowing that at the end of the day, my greatest judge will be Jehovah God.
KW: Jimmy has another question: Do you think President Obama has made a good
enough effort to create jobs, balance the budget and work with the Republicans
in Congress to move this country forward?

C: I think the President is doing his best to create jobs and better situations
for the American people. As far as working with Republicans, I believe he's
doing what he can to make that happen.
KW: Felicia Haney says: Do you there's something hypocritical and patently
political about conservatives complaining about you being an invited guest to
the White House but being silent about you starring in a children's film?

C: Yeah, their complaining about my being invited to the White House was just me
getting caught up in politics. They didn't even know who I really am.
KW: Editor/Legist Patricia Turnier says: You participated in the video Yes We
Can. Do you think Hip-Hop was a driving force behind Obama's presidential
campaign paving the way to the White House?

C: Yes, I definitely think Hip-Hop was one of the strong forces behind President
Obama's winning the election.
KW: Patricia would also like to know, what message you want the public to take
away from your memoir, One Day It'll All Make Sense?

C: I just want people to feel like they can achieve something great in their
lives. We all go through rough times, but love is the antidote. You've got to
dream and just believe in yourself. And if you believe, you will achieve it.
KW: Children's book author Irene Smalls asks: To what do you attribute your
ability to maintain your cool in the craziness of show business?

C: I attribute it to God, self-esteem, and knowing your purpose in life. It
can't be based on anything material or external.
KW: Thanks again for the time, Common, and best of luck with the movie, the TV
show and the new album.